Kathy Bauck is a dog breeder/broker located in Pine Lake Township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. She was in business for over 25 years and, for many of those years, she was one of the largest dog breeders/brokers in the United States, producing and selling thousands of puppies yearly nationwide.

Kathy Bauck's dog breeding kennel was known as a puppy mill.

For over 15 years, citizens, veterinarians, employees and organizations filed complaints of suspected animal abuse against Kathy Bauck. This breeder:

• had her Animal Welfare Act license terminated in 2010 for being "unfit;"

• had continued to sell and ship dogs to pet stores in New York (even though her license was terminated); and

• had her Animal Welfare Act license permanently revoked in 2011.

This case, as with some other commercial dog breeders and activities within the pet trade, is not simple. The story below illustrates how difficult it is for citizens to hold breeders accountable for their actions, and why "the system" of animal care and protection in Minnesota must be modernized.

LICENSE REVOCATION: KENNEL SHUT DOWN

On September 14, 2011, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) license of MN dog breeder Kathy Bauck was permanently revoked and Bauck is disqualified from obtaining an AWA license again. All of her animals (except six dogs total) were required to be sold or donated by September 12, 2011. Read more

DOG BREEDER PROFILE: KATHY BAUCK

As a mass producer of puppies, Kathy Bauck's breeding kennel (Pick Of The Litter, aka Puppies On Wheels and other aliases) has housed over 1,300 dogs and puppies and she has bred over 100 different dog breeds. Read more

PET STORE SALES

Over the decades, Kathy Bauck has produced and sold thousands of dogs and puppies to consumers, pet stores and Internet buyers throughout the United States, plus Canada. Animal Folks MN has tracked these pet sales. Read more

CAPS: UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION

The Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) conducted an undercover investigation of Kathy Bauck's breeding facility in 2008. The findings were horrific, as they and others suspected. CAPS filed a complaint with the local sheriff. Read more

CAPS: ANIMAL STORIES

Animal cruelty within Pick Of The Litter was not a one-time, one dog occurrence. Reports and complaints show Kathy Bauck was a chronic offender, creating conditions that harmed multiple dogs and puppies. Read more

COMPLAINTS: TO MN BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Complaints have been filed against Kathy Bauck from veterinarians, who have worked with her or treated dogs bought from her kennel. One complaint resulted in charges/sentencing for practicing veterinary medicine without a license. Read more

TRIAL AND SENTENCING: ANIMAL TORTURE

Based on the CAPS complaint, formal charges of animal cruelty were made against Kathy Bauck. A trial was held, and the jury convicted Bauck of four counts. The judge reduced the sentencing to one count of animal torture. Read more

FOLLOWING TRIAL: PROBATION

Following the trial, Kathy Bauck was placed on probation. The Minnesota Humane Society (MHS) was ordered to inspect her facilities during the probation. MHS found multiple violations and recommended her probation be extended. Read more.

OVERSIGHT AND USDA LICENSE

Minnesota has no state laws to regulate dog and cat breeders; however, the USDA regulates certain breeders and brokers who sell to pet stores. The USDA terminated Bauck's license in 2010 for two years and, in 2011, revoked her license. Read more

USDA INSPECTIONS

Any dog breeder/broker that holds an Animal Welfare Act license must be inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Kathy Bauck's USDA inspection reports show multiple violations over the years.Read more

COMPLAINTS: CONSUMERS

Puppies produced at Pick Of The Litter kennel have been sold at pet stores throughout the nation. Some consumers unknowingly purchased unhealthy puppies and have filed complaints. This is a consumer fraud issue. Read more.

AUCTIONS

Many breeders use auction houses to get rid of older dogs and to still make money from their "investment". In March 2009, Kathy Bauck transported over 200 dogs to an auction house in Ohio. Angels Animals reported on the care and transport. Read more

REGISTRIES: AKC

Many breeders register puppies with registry companies to market the dogs as "approved" purebreds. In 2010, the American Kennel Club (AKC) suspended Kathy Bauck's privileges. Read more

PRESS/ARTICLES

Different news reporters (locally and in different states) have covered the various stories about Kathy Bauck and her breeding practices throughout the years. Some of the video and articles are posted here. Read more

CONTACTS

This breeder has shown to continually circumvent the law. If you have purchased an unhealthy dog from this breeder or you have evidence she is committing animal abuse, there are specific authorities to contact. Read more